Garrett McNamara withdraws from the Billabong XXL Awards

The man who defies Nature in Nazaré says he wants to keep his rides pure and away from prizes, non-official sponsors and alcohol endorsement.

"We decided to pull my waves from Nazare out of Billabong XXL because I do not ride for Billabong and I did not go out that day and surf for a world record or to win any XXL prize money", Garrett McNamara reveals.

"I was out there because I live for big waves, it's what I love to do! It is not necessary to have a Billabong panel measure it. There have already been quite a few educated professionals who have measured it anywhere between 60-110 feet!"

"Also one of my main reasons for withdrawing is due to the sponsorship of the Billabong XXL by an alcohol company [Pacifico]. I feel very strongly that we, as athletes, should not endorse alcohol. We are sending the wrong message to the general public," added McNamara.

Garrett is one of the only big wave riders to have won or been nominated in every Billabong XXL event category over the last decade.

The Hawaiian big wave surfer that loves Nazaré shared the feeling of being in the middle of a big swell with Anderson Cooper, the famous CNN news anchor behind Anderson Cooper 360°.